Kitchen & Bath

Designing your kitchen and bath is no small undertaking. After all, there are so many elements to these spaces to consider such as cabinets, countertops, plumbing, flooring, lighting to name just a few...

Countertops & Walls

When it comes to designing your kitchen and bathroom one of the most important elements are the countertops. Countertops see a lot of action; in the kitchen they take some abuse from hot pans, chopping knives...

Cabinets

Cabinetry is a very important decision in the building or remodeling process. If you haven’t shopped for cabinets lately it can be very overwhelming with all of the design and finish options available...

How To Clean Your Hardwood Floor

Tips on how to maintain your hardwood floors.

To most people, their home is life’s greatest possession and a
large source of pride and joy.

Which is why they devote so much time and energy to its upkeep.
Beautiful, charming, inviting homes are the wonderful result.

Floor coverings are a major part of a home.

So read on and learn the many ways you can maintain your hardwood
investment – your home investment and source of pride -- today
and tomorrow.

Fight dirt right where it enters.

Place walk off mats or area rugs at each entryway to collect dirt
and grit that might be tracked in.

These tiny particles act like sandpaper and will scratch your
floor.

Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed or non-ventilated mats or
rugs as they can damage your floor.

Instead use mats or rugs made especially for hardwood floors and
remember to shake them out regularly.

In addition to entryways, remember to place mats in any areas
where water may be splashed, such as near a kitchen sink.

These tools can be floor savers.

Buy a good quality broom and sweep your new floor regularly to
pick up grains of dirt, dust and other particles.

A vacuum cleaner, without a beater bar, can be helpful in between
planks and other hard to reach areas. Once dirt and grease are
gone, buffing can help restore the luster of your hardwood floor.

Our cleaning suggestions.

Cleaning techniques vary depending on the installation and finish
of your hardwood floor.

For “Finish in Place” hardwood floors, we recommend using an
8”x14” terrycloth mop with a rotating head that makes cleaning
corners, under cabinets and along base boards an easy task.

Spray a professional wood floor cleaning product recommended by
us to safely remove tough stains and spills without dulling the
finish of your floor.

Manufacturers of “Pre-finished” hardwood floors recommend their
own specific products designed for their floors routine
maintenance. Be sure to check with us as well about these
cleaners.

Keep in mind these dos and don’ts.

All floors with a urethane finish should never be waxed and
require cleaners that won’t leave a film or residue.

A hardwood floor cleaner is useful in removing occasional scuffs
or heel marks. Merely spray some cleaner on a cloth and lightly
rub the stained area. Sticky spots can be cleaned with a damp
towel or sponge.

Do not use ammonia cleaners or oil soaps on a wood floor, as they
will dull the finish and performance of your floor. These
products will also affect the ability to recoat your floor later.

Since wood naturally expands when it is wet, never wet mop or use
excessive water to clean your floor. Large amounts of water can
cause the wood to swell and may cause your floor to crack or
splinter.

Being a natural product, hardwood will expand and contract due to
moisture level changes. Minimize water exposure to hardwood
floors and clean up spills as soon as they happen.

For deeper cleaning, please note the following: If your
floor is showing excessive wear beyond normal cleaning you may
want to consider screening and recoating.

Screening is the process used to abrade the polyurethane finish
that is currently on the floor. Then, fresh coats of urethane are
applied. Screening and recoating will rejuvenate and prolong the
life of your hardwood floor.

If the damage to the floor is severe and has gone through the
stain of the boards down to the bare wood, you may be able to
sand and refinish. This is mostly an option for solid wood
flooring.

This should only be done if a screening and recoating does not
solve the problem. This is an extensive process where the floor
is sanded down to the bare wood, re-stained and then refinished.
If the damage is only in a small area you may want to see if
replacement boards are available to alleviate having to refinish
an entire area.

Be sure to hire an experienced professional when having any work
done on your hardwood floor. We suggest you contact us for
advice.

Protect your hardwood floor against tomorrow, sunshine and
activity.

All hardwood floors will fade, darken or change shades over time.
Exposure to sunlight will greatly increase this process.

Window treatments are recommended, as well as rotating area rugs
and furniture regularly to allow floors to age evenly from UV
exposure.

Cover furniture and table legs with protectors to guard your
floor against damage. Take care when moving heavy objects across
your floor to avoid scuffing.

Stiletto heels can cause dents and scratches that are not covered
by your warranty. Love your pet but regularly trim their nails or
claws to avoid scratches on the hardwood floor. The point here is
to be cautious of sharp objects that may scratch or damage the
floor.

Consistent upkeep and periodic professional maintenance
will keep your hardwood flooring beautiful, inviting and durable
for years to come.

Depend on us to deliver complete, dedicated customer service
during your shopping experience and outstanding, professional
installation later.

We hope that the information we’ve provided here leads you to a
clearer understanding of how to maintain hardwood flooring.

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